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Largest crowd ever at Christmas dinner

By Carolyn LeeThe Imperial Republican Almost 300 people partook of the annual Christmas dinner at the Eagles Club in Imper­ial Christmas Day. Now in its sixth year, the dinner is an outgrowth of the Southwest Nebraska Minister­ial Association’s mission efforts. About 35 volunteers served the dinner, which consisted of 10 turkeys, three 20-pound hams, 10 dishes of dressing, eight sweet potato casseroles, 100 pounds of potatoes, two roasters of sweet corn, gravy, 12 salads, 10 dozen homemade dinner rolls, over 36 pies and cakes, coffee and tea. Organizer Jody Bopp said the dinner is offered to everyone, including the elderly without families, migrant families and “those who don’t have someplace to go for dinner. To me, it’s doing what it’s designed to do,” Bopp said. Although the dinner is free, a freewill donation netted about $1,400, which will be used by the Chase County Sheriff’s Department indigent fund to give gas, infant formula and more to people in need passing through the county. Bopp said this was the biggest crowd the nine religious organizations involved have served since the meal’s inception six years ago.